My Upgrade List - Opinions Please

[BGates14]

Right now I am very satisfied with my computer. I don't specifically need major upgrades but you always want them, plus it's fun to get. Heres my specs now and what I plan to eventually get over time, what I am looking for is which upgrades I should get first or which would be the best to help out my build.

Computer As of Now:
Motherboard: Asus CrossHair
Processor: AMD 64 5200+ x2
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 160GB SATA
Memory: 2GB Corsair 6400 (2 x 1GB)
Video: eVGA GeForce 8800GTX
PSU: OCZ GameXtream 700w
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami Dream

Upgrade list:
Case: Cooler Master Stacker (with around 5 fans)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor 150GB / Western Digital Caviar 500GB
Memory: Another 2GB Corsair 6400 (2 x 1GB) or 1 x 2GB
Video: Another eVGA GeForce 8800GTX (Sli)
PSU: Enermax Galaxy Modular PFC 1000w

With my first upgrade this week I will have around $550 - $600. Right now I am leaning twoards the case with fans and controller, and possibly either hard drive or a zalman heatsink/fan. The case would be fun to get as I love building and messing with my computer, so it brings back the fun in switching everything around and it would clean my case more. Looking for any suggestions or should I get something different that would help me more.

 

[Rubber314Chicken]

okay, that is gonna be one h3** of aa computer. I would get 2x1gb of ram, so you have 4 sticks, and plan on making the switch to intel core2duo quad core before you go for the ram, the videocard or the psu.

 

[LambOfGod]

where do you get your money

 

[BGates14]

Aunt is pretty wealthy and she gives out money for christmas, which chained me to getting initial upgrades and then I had almost a full computer of parts sitting around which I sold, and then I just sold a few of my guitars that I don't play, etc.

 

[freestyler105]

Instead of getting another 8800, sell the one you have and get a Radeon X2900XTX. Apparently it's going to own the 8800 series.

 

[BGates14]

I'll look into the Radeon X2900XTX but won't jump right on that. I'll hesitate to get another 8800gtx until I find out more on the X2900XTX, didn't hear about them until you mentioned it.

 

[freestyler105]

Look at this:
http://www.dailytech.com/AMD+Releases+Final+R600+Specs/article6138.htm

Supposedly it's the final specs for it.

 

[BGates14]

So far I have no objections to getting the case, and thats what I am looking into getting this week. Does anyone have any other opinions on any of the parts?

As for switching over to Intel, I am a pretty big fan of AMD, I haven't really looked into or wanted to switch to Intel. Right now I would think the quad is a waste due to the fact that duo's aren't even really taken full advantage of, so why quad? After I am satisfied with this computer maybe I will have it as a small side project but not really looking into it right now.

 

[freestyler105]

So far I have no objections to getting the case, and thats what I am looking into getting this week. Does anyone have any other opinions on any of the parts?

As for switching over to Intel, I am a pretty big fan of AMD, I haven't really looked into or wanted to switch to Intel. Right now I would think the quad is a waste due to the fact that duo's aren't even really taken full advantage of, so why quad? After I am satisfied with this computer maybe I will have it as a small side project but not really looking into it right now.

Just the regular dual core Core 2 Duos destroy the AMDs. I agree that most people don't need the quad-core, but the Core 2 Duos are simply amazing.

 

[Rubber314Chicken]

Yeah. I would have gotten one, but to find a motherboard that I like, plus the processcor, plus ddr2 ram would have cost an extra 200 is (a lot, considering I actucally only spent $100 out of pocket), and I figured I could live with the AMD, considering I previously have a 200 mghz comp.

But Yeah. The Core2duos now cost about the same as the AMD ones (as far as compatle mobos, and ram), and It would be a wise move to jump to core2duo, with a quad core compatable mobo.